Circular knitting machines

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for stacking knitted fabric issuing from a circular knitting machine in layers in a container by imparting reciprocal motion to the fabric so that it is folded in concertina fashion. The means for layering the fabric are in the form of a pair of rods or rollers driven by reversible or nonreversible drive means, said rods or rollers operating in a stationary horizontal plane, or being raised in increments with the stacked fabric.

United Sttes Patet [191 Swanwick et al.

[ Feb. 12, 11974 CIRCULAR KNITTING MAC 1: 1| 1 Inventors: BarryFrederick Swanwick,

Melton Mowbray; Coiin Vincent Roper, Braunstone; Dennis Gell, Leicester,all of England Stibbe Machinery Limited, Leicester, England Filed: Jan.12, 1972 Appl. No.: 217,332

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 21, 1971 Bulgaria 2,850/71 US.Cl. 66/147 Int. Cl. D04b 35/00 Field of Search..... 66/147, 149, 153,151, 152,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1970 Tannert 66/142 X Miller270/79 X 2,653,812 9/1953 Cohneta 270/79 2,218,062 10/1940 Yates 270/793,499,643 10/1967 Biggar 270/79 3,423,083 l/1969 Sherrill 270/79 X2,016,539 10/1935 Brenn 270/79 2,723,546 11/1955 Buckreus.... 66/1472,497,786 2/1950 Miller 66/152 3,037,768 6/1962 Anderson et a]. 270/79 XFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 53,564 8/1910 Switzerland 270/39 PrimaryExaminerRonald Feldbaum [5 7] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for stackingknitted fabric issuing from a circular knitting machine in layers in acontainer by imparting reciprocal motion to the fabric so that it isfolded in Concertina fashion. The means for layering the fabric are inthe form of a pair of rods or rollers driven by reversible ornon-reversible drive means, said rods or rollers operating in astationary horizontal plane, or being raised in increments with thestacked fabric.

22 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 12 I974 sum 1 or 7 CIRCULARKNITTING MACHINES This invention relates to circular knitting machines,and more particularly to a method of, and means for, automaticallystacking knitted fabric in a container in continuation of the knittingthereof on large diameter circular knitting machines. By the term largediameter in this instance is meant machines having a knitting diameterof about inches and over.

At present the work take-off machanisms of large diameter circularknitting machines comprise a pair of co-acting work take-off whichtension the fabric away from the needles, which are followed by awinding-up roller on which the fabric is wound as it issues from thetake-off rollers.

Such mechanisms are becoming costly, and difficult to handle, as modernmachines are producing fabric at ever increasing rates which gives riseto more frequent stoppages to unload the winding-up rollers. In anendeavour to alleviate this problem, the winding-up rollers are beingallowed to wind-up more fabric thus making them very heavy and bulky tohandle. A- further disadvantage of rolling up the fabric is that, whenknitting with synthetic yarns, the act of rolling the fabric causespermanent creases therein.

It has been proposed, in order to overcome this problem, that instead ofwinding-up the fabric it be allowed to collect in a bin which, whenfull, can be wheeled out of the way and replaced by an empty one. This,of course, means that less time is lost during each stoppage since thefabric is more easily handled. Also, by raising the knitting headfurther from the floor, more fabric can be collected in the bin which,in the case of rotating cylinder knitting machines, is supported on arotating platform and rotates with the needle cylinder and take-offrollers.

The problem arising from the latter method is that, although the fabricmay fall into the bin and form layers, each layer does not necessarilycover the whole width of the bin and a pile of layers in the centre ofthe bin tends to be formed. This lack of complete use of the area of thebin is obviously wasteful and defeats the object of collecting morefabric per machine run. Furthermore, in an attempt to avoid the latterdisadvantage, it is necessary for the operator to stop the machinefrequently in order to re-arrange the random layers in the bin.

It is among the objects of the present invention to overcome orsubstantially reduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method ofstacking knitted fabric, in layers, in a container in continuation ofthe knitting thereof, which comprises continuously feeding the knittedfabric into the container and simultaneously causing the fabric to befolded, in concertina fashion, and in a uniform manner, over the widthor the length of the container.

According to the invention furthermore, there is provided apparatus forstacking knitted fabric, in layers, in a container in continuation ofthe knitting thereof, which comprises means for guiding the fabricissuing from the knitting machine in a to-and-fro motion whereby thefabric will be folded, in concertina fashion, and in a uniform manner,over the width or the length of the container.

Themeans for guiding the fabric may comprise mechanical guide memberswhich are reciprocated over the width or length of the container. Suchreciprocation may be effected by a reversible drive motor, oralternatively, by a non-reversible drive motor through an endless chaindrive.

Alternatively, the means for guiding the fabric may comprise pneumaticmeans in the form of a jet or jets of air under pressure arrangedadjacent two opposite sides of the container, means being provided tocontrol the operation of the air jets so that the fabric is guided bythe air from opposite sides alternately.

In the case of a rotating cylinder machine the whole mechanism is ofcourse mounted on a platform to rotate with the needle cylinder withinthe base of the machine.

The invention, as applied to a rotating cylinder type machine, isillustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is an end elevation, partly in section, showing one embodiment ofthe fabric layering apparatus according to the invention, and alsoshowing certain parts of the knitting machine with which the apparatusis used,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation corresponding to FIG. 1 but showing only theessential parts of the apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a part plan view corresponding to FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a detail, on an enlarged scale, of part of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a side elevation corresponding to FIG. 5, certain parts of theapparatus being omitted,

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing a modification of the embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6,

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are details showing the mode of operation of theembodiment of FIG. 7,

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of a further modification of the embodimentof FIGS. 5 and 6, and

FIG. 12 is a schematic elevation of a further alternative embodiment ofthe invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown the lower partof a circular knitting machine 1 having supporting legs 2 to which astationary base plate 3 is fixed. Mounted on the base plate 3, with anannular bearing 4 interposed is a rotary table 5 which supports thefabric tensioning and collecting equipment generally indicated by a pairof tensioning rollers 6 and supporting posts 7.

The tensioning rollers 6 are driven in well known manner in synchronismwith the fabric output. One such arrangement of fabric tensioning meansis shown in our prior British Patent Specification No. 1,1 18,547.However, other arrangements may be used such as a brush tensioningmechanism of the kind described in British Patent Specification No.729920 of G. Lebocey or a spiked roller mechanism of the kind describedin British Patent Specification No. 671477 of Mellor Bromley Limited. Inthe latter arrangements, the tensioning mechanisms are arranged incircular formation within the tubular fabric and, in order to adapt sucharrangements for use with the layering apparatus of the presentinvention, it is only necessary to arrange two guide bars or rollersbelow the tensioning means to close the tubular fabric into asubstantially flat form before it is fed to the layering apparatus.

The rotary table 5 also supports the layering apparatus of the inventionwhich comprises generally a pair of fabric layering rollers 8 and 9', apair of spaced support frames 10, and a fabric-receiving container 11which is removably supported on support blocks 12 between the frames 10.

The fabric layering rollers 8 and 9 are supported and driven at each endthereof in exactly the same manner and therefore the followingdescription will be with respect to one end only thereof. Thus, therollers 8 and 9 are mounted respectively on shaft 13 and 14 which areeach provided with a freely rotatably roller 15. The roller 15 arepositioned to run over a guide surface 16 provided on the frame 10 toprovide heightwise location for the rollers 8 and 9. Also mounted on theshafts 13 and 14 are gear wheels 17, these gear wheels being fixed tothe shafts and being adapted to engage a toothed rack 18 provided on theframe 10. In this respect, for the reason hereinafter described, therack 18 does not extend over the full length of the container 1 1.

The gear wheels 17 each incorporate a one-way gear to known constructionwhich includes a pawl and ratchet mechanism so that the gear wheel ispositively driven in one direction only. Thus, movement of the rollers 8and 9, by means hereinafter described, in one direction is effective tocause one gear wheel 17 to positively rotate its co-acting roller,whereas movement of the rollers 8 and 9 in the opposite direction iseffective to cause the other gear wheel 17 to positively rotate itsco-acting roller. The arrangement of the gear wheels 17 and theirone-way gears is such that rotation of the roller 8 or the roller 9 isin a direction that, in use, causes the fabric to be fed in a downwarddirection, it being understood that the roller which is not beingpositively driven is free-wheeling and is rotated by the pressureapplied thereto by the positively driven roller via the fabric.

The means for effecting movement, that is to say reciprocal movement, ofthe rollers 8 and 9, and the means for urging the rollers intoengagement with each other, will now be described with particularreference to FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Thus, the end of the shaftsl3 and 14 extend through slotted holes 19 in a coupling link 20 andalso, respectively, through a hole in one end of a pair of connectinglinks 21. The other ends of the connecting links 21 are hingedlyconnected together by a hinge pin 22 and, at a mid-position, the links21 are coupled together by a tension spring 23. Thus, it will be seenthat the shafts 13 and 14, and thus also the rollers 8 and 9, are urgedtowards each other by the spring 23.

For the purpose of causing reciprocal movement of the rollers 8 and 9, adriving link 24 is connected between an endless drive chain 25 and thecentre of the coupling link 20, the link 24 being formed with a slot 26so that a pin 27, which secures it to the link 20, is slidable therein.The chain 25 is continuously driven in one direction by meanshereinafter described and is mounted for this purpose on end sprockets28 and 29. It will be noted that, in the drawings, the rollers 8 and 9are being moved from right and left and therefore positive drive isbeing applied to the roller 8 by its coacting gear wheel 17.

On reaching the left hand end of the stroke of the layering rollers 8and 9, it will be seen that the latter stop whilst the drive link 24moves round the sprocket 28 and takes up the position shown in chain dotlines in FIG. 4. When this position is reached, the rollers 8 and 9 willbe moved in the opposite direction, i.e. from left to right.

During the aforementioned pause in the movement of the rollers 8 and 9,it will be appreciated that since rotation of the rollers is dependentupon movement thereof relative to the toothed rack 18, the rollers 8 and9 will also stop rotating. However, to ensure proper layering of thefabric, it is preferably that the rollers 8 and 9 should continue torotate during said pause in order that continued feeding of the fabricshould take place. For this purpose, the rack 18 stops short of the endof the frame 10 so that the gear wheels 17 move out of engagement withthe rack. In addition, a sprocket wheels 30 is mounted on the shaft 13to enter into engagement with the drive chain 25. The sprocket wheel 30is of the same type as that of the gear wheels 17, i.e. it incorporatesa one-way gear mechanism consisting of ratchet 31 and a pawl 32 so thatit drives in one direction only.

Thus, it will be seen that, whilst the rollers 8 and 9 are being moved,there is no relative movement between the gear wheel 17 mounted on theshaft 13 and the sprocket wheel 30 because they are both being turned inthe same direction. However, when the roller 8 and 9 come to the end ofa stroke and the gear wheels 17 become disengaged from the rack 18, therollers remain stationary and continue movement of the chain 25 causesrotation of the sprocket wheel 30 in an anticlockwise direction. Thiscauses interengagement between the ratchet 31 and the pawl 32 andeffects positive rotation of the roller 8 and thus also rotation of theroller 9. On the return stroke of the rollers 8 and 9, rotation of thelatter will again be effected by the rack 18 and the gear wheel 17 ofthe roller 8 will be freewheeling in synchronism with the sprocket wheel30.

Since the chain 25 always travels in the same direction it is onlynecessary to provide a sprocket wheel 30 on the shaft 13 and this ofcourse causes rotation of both layering rollers 8 and 9.

The chain sprockets 28 and 29 are mounted on stub axles 33 and 34 fixedto brackets 35 provided on the frame 10. For the purpose of impartingdrive to the chain 25, a further sprocket wheel 36 is mounted on thestub axle 33 and is secured to the sprocket wheel 28 so that they rotatein unison. Arranged on the stationary base plate 3 is a magneticparticle coupling 37 of known construction. The output shaft of thecoupling 37 has fixed thereto a bevel gear 38 whilst the input shaftthereof is fixed to the stationary base plate 3. The bevel gear 38 is inmesh with a bevel gear 39 fixed to a lay shaft 40. The shaft 40 hasfixed thereto a chain sprocket 41 and a drive chain 42 extends betweenthe sprockets 36 and 41 to impart drive to the chain 25. Thus, thecoupling serves to apply a preset torque to the output shaft thereof andthus also to the bevel gear 38. In practice, it will be seen that thelay shaft 40 is turning with the layering apparatus whilst the outputshaft of the coupling 37, which is fixed to the base plate 3, remainsstationary. This condition generates rotation of the shaft 40 due to thefact that the bevel gear 39 moves round the bevel gear 38 and this willdrive the chains 42 and 25 at a speed corresponding to the output of theknitting machine. If, however, the output shaft of the coupling 37 wasfreely rotatable relative to the base plate 3, it would merely rotatewith the machine driven by the bevel gears 38 and 39 and no rotation ofthe shaft 40 would take place. Therefore, it will be seen that rotationof the lay shaft 40 can be governed by the amount of braking power whichis applied thereto. This braking power is provided by the magneticparticle coupling 37 which is adapted to apply variable torque dependentupon the electronic power applied to its exciting coil. This action isgoverned by a potentiometer 43 which can be preset to provide a givenoutput. Thus, the speed of transverse, and therefore the speed ofrotation, of the layering rollers 8 and 9 is governed by thepotentiometer 43.

Although only one potentiometer 43 has been described, it is possible toprovide a plurality of potentiometers linked in parallel and all set atdifferent levels, and switched into operation at pre-determinedintervals, so as to provide different speeds of traverse, and thereforefabric consumption, of the rollers 8 and 9.

In operation, the fabric-receiving container 11 is positioned as shownin FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings and sufficient fabric F is knitted to befed between the tensioning rollers 6 and the layering rollers 8 and 9 toreach the bottom of the container 11 where it may be fixed as by springclips.

Knitting is then continued and the layering rollers 8 and 9 arereciprocated over the container 1 1 so that the knitted fabric willautomatic-ally layer itself over the full length of the container 11.The rate of feed of the fabric through the rollers 8 and 9 is nominallyset by the gear and chain drive ratios and the speed of traverse, andthe feed can then be further adjusted by the potentiometer 43 whichcontrols the magnetic particle coupling 37.

As previously stated, at the end of each stroke, lengthwise movement ofthe rollers 8 and 9 ceases whilst the drive link 24 changes its positionfrom the upper run of the drive chain 25 to the lower run thereof, orvice versa. During this pause, the rollers 8 and 9 are rotated by thesprocket wheel so that fabric continues to be fed into the container 11.The reason for this is that it stops the tendancy of the fabric to bepulled away from the wall of the container 11 when the direction ofmovement of the rollers 8 and 9 is reversed, thereby enabling thecontainer to be completely filled with the fabric which is layered in aneat and uniform manner.

When the container 11 is filled with fabric, the machine is stopped, thecontainer is replaced, and the process is repeated with the minimum ofdelay.

The apparatus hereinbefore described may be modified for handlingcertain fabrics by providing means for positively holding each fold ofthe fabric in a position adjacent the end walls of the container 1 1.Such means comprise a pair of dropper arms 44 which are pivotallymounted in extensions 45 of the brackets to hang freely, under their ownweight, within the container 11. The free ends of the arms 44 arepreferably provided with means, such as rubber or nylon pads, toincrease their gripping capabilities.

In use, as the layering rollers 8 and 9 approach the end of a storke,the arm 44 at that end is raised so that it will not interfere with thepositioning of the fabric. The fabric is then folded over in the mannerhereinbefore described and, as the rollers 8 and 9 move in the oppositedirection, the arm 44 drops down onto the fold and prevents it frombeing pulled away from the end wall of the container 11. For thispurpose, a cam plate 46 is positioned on the shafts l3 and 14 and hastwo cam surfaces 47, 48 which engage and lift the arms 44 respectivelyat the end of each stroke. To enable full movement of the cam plate 46to take place without reducing the depth of the container 11, the latteris formed with slots 49 in its ends walls.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, thereis shown a part of the framework of a rotating cylinder circularknitting machine having three legs 50, 51 and 52 one of which, as isusual with these machines, houses or supports a drive motor (not shown)and a main control mechanism. The legs are stationary but work take-offrollers 53 and 54, and their supports 55 and 56, which also house thetake-off roller drive mechanisms, are rotated in unison with the needlecylinder. This is accomplished by means of a work take-off carriagewhich is gear driven from the motor housed within leg 52.

The foregoing structure is known art and it is also known to use fabricreceiving means, such as a container 57, to receive the fabric issuingfrom the take-off rollers 53 and 54. However, in carrying out thepresent invention, the container 57 is open-sided and has only a base58, a front 59 and a back 60.

The container 57 is removable and is slidably received within, andsupported by, location brackets 61 provided on a rotary table 62 sothat, in use, it is possible to slide receptacles on and off the table62 when changing a full container for an empty one.

Rotatably supported on the table 62 adjacent the corners of the fabriccontainer 57 are four vertically disposed square-section-thread screws63 which are also rotatably located, at their upper ends, in brackets(not shown) mounted on a revolving frame member of the knitting machinepositioned above the fabric take-off rollers 53 and 54.

Each screw 63 has mounted thereon, by means of a mating screw-threadedhole, a co-acting bracket 64. The brackets 64 adjacent the back 60 ofthe container 57 support a drive shaft 65 on which are mounted, adjacenteach bracket 64, sprocket wheels 66. The remaining two brackets 64 eachhave mounted thereon freely rotatable sprocket wheels 67. Extendingbetween the sprocket wheels 66 and 67 on opposite sides of the container57 are drive chains 68. Centrally located on the drive shaft 65 is areversible motor 69 which is attached to a bracket 70. The bracket 70 isformed with a projection which fits into a mating slideway formed on anupright post 71 so that the motor is movable, in a vertical direction,relative to the post 71.

Fixedly mounted on the lower end of the screws 63 are sprocket wheels72. Passing round all of these sprockets wheels is a chain 73 so that,when one sprocket wheel turns, and thereby turns it co-acting screw 63to raise its co-acting bracket 65, all the other sprocket wheels turnand raise their co-acting brackets 64.

Fixedly mounted on one of the screws 63 below the sprocket 72 is a starwheel 74. The star wheel 74 is turned, during rotation of the apparatusto carry out a knitting operation, by entering into contact with a cam75 positioned on a stationary part of the machine, every time it passessaid cam. There could of course be a multiple of star wheels 74 and/orcams 75 to impart varying amounts of vertical movement of the fabricguiding mechanism hereinafter described. The cam 75 is spring-loadedinto an operative position and pulled out of action by a cable or othermeans under the control of the main control mechanism of the machine.

For manually raising and lowering the fabric guiding mechanism a handleis removably mounted on the top of one of the screws 63.

Power is supplied to the reversible motor 69 from a slip ring 76arranged on a stationary part of the machine through contacts 77, anextension 78 of which is arranged vertically in the post 71 so as alwaysto be in contact with the leads of the motor 69.

Positioned between, and fixed to, the two chains 68 are bars 79 and 80through which the fabric is guided.

The bars 79 and 80 are driven backwards and forwards, as the fabric isdrawn through the take-off rollers 53 and 54, by the motor 69 which, asstated, is a reversible motor. A suitable control mechanism is providedto reverse the direction of rotation of the motor after a predeterminednumber of rotations of the needle cylinder of the knitting machine hastaken place.

In operation, the fabric guiding mechanism consisting of the bars 79 and80 is raised manually to its highest position, just below the worktake-off rollers 53, 54. The container 57 is then placed in position onthe location brackets 61 of the table 62.

The fabric indicated at F is then knitted until it is of sufficientlength to extend through the work take-off rollers 53 and 54 and theguiding bars 79 and 80 down to a corner of the container 57. The machineis then stopped and the end of the fabric is clipped into this corner byany suitable means such as detachable spring clips 81. The fabricguiding mechanism is then lowered to a position just above the base 58of the container 57.

Knitting is then recommenced and the motor 69 started in order to impartreciprocatory movement to the bars 79 and 80. As the layers of fabricare formed, so the fabric guiding mechanism is raised by the cam 75 andstar wheel 74. The motor and cam are operated in synchronism with theknitting machine output under the control of the main control mechanismof the machine.

When the fabric container 57 is full, the machine is stopped, eithermanually by the operator, or by virtue of an earthing circuitmicro-switch 82 which is actuated by one of the brackets 64 as thelatter reaches a predetermined height.

The fabric F is then cut leaving sufficient length to clamp into anotherfabric container for the next stacking cycle. The filled container isthen removed and replaced by an empty one.

The container 57 is supported clear of the platform 62 by the brackets61 in order to enable a fork-lift type of handling means to be used totake off the full containers.

Alternative arrangements of this specific embodiment are of coursepossible, one of which serves to further lengthen the container 57 andalso ensures more accurate control over the folds of the layered fabric.Such an arrangement is shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 of the drawings which showonly details which differ from FIGS. 5 and 6. In this case the motor 69is mounted in a similar manner to that already described and shown butis offset from the chain sprockets 66 adjacent the back wall 60 of thecontainer and drives these through gears or pulleys 83 and 84 and belt85. A shaft 86 on which the pulley or sprocket 83 is mounted is drivenby the motor 69 which is supported in the same manner as that shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.

In this arrangement, it can be seen that the container 57 is extended sothat its front 59 and back 60 extend beyond the sprockets 66.

It is intended with this arrangement that the layering of the fabric isstarted as hereinbefore described but the bars 79 and 80 in this casemove to a position part way round sprocket 67 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.The drive motor 69 is then stopped and the fabric allowed to continue tofall to the position shown in FIG. 9. As this point, the motor 69 isstarted up in the opposite direction so that the two bars 79 and 80travel back along the fabric as is shown in FIG. 10. The bars continueto travel in this manner until the position shown in FIG. 7 is reachedat the other end of the container 57.

Thus, it will be appreciated that, in this arrangement, the fabric foldsare retained at the extreme ends of the container and are not pulledback by the bars 79 and 80 on their return movement. In this respect,the bars 79 and 80 could be replaced by freely rotatable rollers.

In order to ensure neat laying of the fabric in he receptacle, it may beadvantageous to allow the bars or rollers 79 and 80 to actually rub orroll along the top of the stack to keep it packed down. For this purposea modification of the arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown in FIG. 11wherein a sensing device to sense the level of the fabric relative tothe bars 79 and 80 may be provided. Such a device would relay commandsignals to the drive mechanisms of screws 63 or its equivalent to stopor drive.

For this purpose a light beam sensing device such as photoelectric cell87 may be fitted on one of the brackets 64 to co-act with a light source(not shown) fitted on the bracket 64 on the other side of container 57at a position directly opposite photo-electric cell 87. The circuit fromthe photo-electric cell to the screw drive mechanism would be such that,when the light beam is totally cut-off by the rising layers of fabric,the cam is operated to engage the star wheel 74 to raise the bars 79 anduntil the light beam is just above the level of the layered fabric.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the guide mechanism isdispensed with and use is made of a container 89 having four sides.

In this arrangement, nozzles 90 and 91 are positioned respectivelyadjacent two opposite sides of the container 89. Each nozzle may extendover the full length of the side of the container, or alternatively, aplurality of adjacent nozzles may be provided.

In operation, the knitted fabric F is fed through the work take-offrollers 53 and 54 and, at the appropriate time, the leading end of theknitted fabric is secured by clips 81 in the manner hereinbeforedescribed.

The knitting operation is continued and, when sufficient fabric has beenknitted to cause it to take up the vertical, or substantially vertical,position indicated in solid lines in FIG. 12, ajet or jets of compressedair is or are projected through the nozzle or nozzles 90 so that, asknitting progresses, the fabric is neatly positioned in the receptacle.When the fabric F takes up the position indicated in chain dot lines 92in FIG. 12, the air supply to the nozzle or nozzles 90 is cut and thefabric, as a result of continued knitting, is again allowed to dropunder its own weight until it takes up a vertical position as previouslydescribed, but in the opposite direction. In this position, compressedair is projected through the nozzle or nozzles 91 to repeat thepreviously described operation. These operations are carried outalternately until the stacked fabric fills the receptacle when thefabric is cut and a fresh container is positioned in the machine.

It will of course be appreciated that, as the fabric layers build up inthe container, the angle and/or height of the nozzles 90, 91 will bevaried to ensure that each layer extends the full width or length of thecontainer. The opening and closing of the air valves controlling thesupply of air to the nozzles will vary depending upon the type ofquality of the fabric being knitted. Overall control will of course beeffected from the main control mechanism of the machine in known manner,

The air supply to the nozzles will be provided by a suitable compressorwhich could be rotated with the container 89. However, the compressormay be stationary and the air transferred to the nozzles via a rotatablepneumatic gland of the type manufactured by Tecalemit Llmited.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a rotatingcylinder type of machine, it will be understood that it is not limitedin this respect. Thus, the invention can also be applied to a rotatingcam box type of machine where the fabric receiving container and otherancillary parts and mechanisms will be stationary.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for use. in combination with a circular knitting machinefor stacking knitted fabric in layers in a container in continuation ofthe knitting thereof, the knitting machine being of the type havingsupporting framework and elevated work take-off means with a downwardlydirected discharge, said apparatus comprising a supporting table formounting a container within the knitting machine framework below thework take-off means, a container removably carried by said table,guiding means arranged below the work take-off means for directingknitted fabric issuing from the knitting machine into said container,support means mounted on said table for supporting said guiding means,and means for causing said guiding means to impart reciprocal motion tothe knitted fabric relative to said container in timed relation to theissuing of the knitted fabric, whereby knitted fabric is folded inconcertina fashion and in a uniform manner between two opposite walls ofsaid container.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said guiding means comprisea pair of fabric layering elements and means mounting said fabriclayering elements for horizontal movement and for directly receivingknitted fabric descending from said work take-off means, and said meansfor. imparting reciprocal motion to the knitted fabric comprise drivenmeans to which opposite ends of said fabric layering elements arecoupled, and non-reversible drive means for driving said driven meanscontinuously in one direction.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which said fabric layeringelements comprise rollers and means are provided for imparting rotationto said rollers during reciprocal movement thereof.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said rollers are eachmounted on a shaft which projects from opposite ends thereof, saidshafts at each end of said rollers being received in a coupling link andhaving operatively associated therewith spring means which bias saidrollers into engagement with one another, coupling of said rollers tosaid driven means being effected by a drive link extending between saidcoupling link and said driven means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said means for impartingrotation to said rollers comprise a toothed rack positioned to engagegear wheels fixed to said roller shafts, said gear wheels incorporatingoneway gears, whereby positive drive will be imparted to one of saidrollers during traverse in one direction, and to the other of saidrollers, during traverse in the opposite direction.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which said driven means comprisean endless chain whereby, during reversal thereof at the end of a strokeof said rollers, said rollers remain stationary.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which means are provided foreffecting continued rotation of said rollers at the end of each stroke,said means comprising a sprocket wheel mounted on the shaft of one ofsaid rollers to engage said endless driven means, said sprocket wheelincorporating a one-way gear whereby drive will be imparted to one ofsaid rollers by movement of said driven means relative to said rollers.

8. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said knitting machine is ofthe type which rotates the fabric as it is knitted in which saidsupporting table is rotated in synchronism with the knitted fabric andsaid nonreversible drive means comprise a stationary bevel gear in meshwith a second bevel gear arranged to move with said rotary supportingtable and to orbit said stationary bevel gear, said second bevel gearbeing mounted on, and causing rotation of, a lay shaft from which driveis imparted to said driven means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which said stationary bevel gearis mounted on the output shaft of a magnetic particle coupling under thecontrol of at least one potentiometer, whereby variable torque isapplied to govern the speed of traverse of said fabric layering rollers.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which dropper arms are pivotallysupported to extend into said container at positions adjacent each endof the stroke of said fabric layering rollers to hold each fold of saidknitted fabric adjacent one wall of said container, cam means beingpositioned on said roller shafts to raise and lower said dropper arms atthe end of each stroke.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said guiding means comprisea pair of spaced fabric layering elements and means mounting said fabriclayering elements for horizontal movement and for directly receivingknitted fabric descending from said work take-off means, and said meansfor imparting reciprocal motion to the knitted fabric comprise endlessdriven means to which opposite ends of said layering elements areconnected, and reversible drive means for imparting reciprocal motion tosaid driven means and thus also to said fabric layering elements.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said container isopen-sided and means are provided for raising said fabric layeringelements relative to said container during layering of said knittedfabric.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which said means for raisingsaid fabric layering elements comprise a screw-threaded upright postpositioned adjacent each corner of said container, a co-acting bracketmember mounted in screw-threaded relationship with each of saidscrew-threaded posts on which brackets said endless driven means aremounted, and means for rotating all of said screw-threaded postssimultaneously to cause axial movement of said bracket members relativethereto.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, in which said means for rotatingsaid screw-threaded posts comprise a sprocket wheel fixed to each ofsaid posts, a continuous chain interconnecting said sprocket wheels, astar wheel attached to at least one of said posts, and means for turningsaid star wheel.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said means for turning saidstar wheel comprise at least one cam which is movable into and out of anoperative position, turning of said star wheel being effected byrelative movement between said star wheel and said cam.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which operation of said cam iseffected by said knitting machine control in synchronism with saidknitted fabric output.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which operation of said cam iseffected by a sensing device which senses the level of said fabric insaid container.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which said sensing devicecomprises a light source attached to one of said brackets on one side ofsaid container and a photo-electric cell attached to the correspondingbracket on the opposite side of said container.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said means for guiding saidknitted fabric comprise at least one nozzle arranged on each of oppositesides of said container through which compressed air is projectedalternately.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, including means for varying theangular position of said nozzle. 21. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said knitting machine is of the type wherein issuing fabric isrotated, bearing means support said table for rotation, and means areconnected to said table for rotating said table in unison with issuingknitted fabric.

22. A method of stacking knitted fabric in layers in a container incontinuation of the knitting thereof on a circular knitting machinewherein the knitted fabric is delivered downwardly from the knittingmachine, which method comprises continuing the downward feeding of saidknitted fabric from said knitting machine into said container which ispositioned within framework of said knitting machine while impartinggenerally horizontal reciprocal motion to said fabric to cause it to befolded in concertina fashion, and in a uniform manner between two wallsof said container, rotating the knitted fabric as it issues from theknitting machine, and rotating the container in unison with the issuingknitting fabric.

v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION February 12,1974 Patent No. 177 Dated Inventor(s) Barry Frederick Swanwick, et al Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the patent heading, under "Foreign Application Priority Data","Bulgaria 2,850/71 should read -Great Britain 2, 850/7l- Signed andgoaled thisipth day of June 19714..

(SEAL) Attest: v

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. 0'; MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Comissionerof Patents USCOMM'DC 6087 6-5 69 FORM PO-1050 (10-69) v: us. uovznumsmPRINTING OFFICE nus o-ase-su,

1. Apparatus for use in combination with a circular knitting machine forstacking knitted fabric in layers in a container in continuation of theknitting thereof, the knitting machine being of the type havingsupporting framework and elevated work takeoff means with a downwardlydirected discharge, said apparatus comprising a supporting table formounting a container within the knitting machine framework below thework take-off means, a container removably carried by said table,guiding means arranged below the work take-off means for directingknitted fabric issuing from the knitting machine into said container,support means mounted on said table for supporting said guiding means,and means for causing said guiding means to impart reciprocal motion tothe knitted fabric relative to said container in timed relation to theissuing of the knitted fabric, whereby knitted fabric is folded inconcertina fashion and in a uniform manner between two opposite walls ofsaid container.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said guidingmeans comprise a pair of fabric layering elements and means mountingsaid fabric layering elements for horizontal movement and for directlyreceiving knitted fabric descending from said work take-off means, andsaid means for imparting reciprocal motion to the knitted fabriccomprise driven means to which opposite ends of said fabric layeringelements are coupled, and non-reversible drive means for driving saiddriven means continuously in one direction.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 2, in which said fabric layering elements comprise rollers andmeans are provided for imparting rotation to said rollers duringreciprocal movement thereof.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in whichsaid rollers are each mounted on a shaft which projects from oppositeends thereof, said shafts at each end of said rollers being received ina coupling link and having operatively assoCiated therewith spring meanswhich bias said rollers into engagement with one another, coupling ofsaid rollers to said driven means being effected by a drive linkextending between said coupling link and said driven means.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 4, in which said means for imparting rotation to saidrollers comprise a toothed rack positioned to engage gear wheels fixedto said roller shafts, said gear wheels incorporating one-way gears,whereby positive drive will be imparted to one of said rollers duringtraverse in one direction, and to the other of said rollers, duringtraverse in the opposite direction.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5,in which said driven means comprise an endless chain whereby, duringreversal thereof at the end of a stroke of said rollers, said rollersremain stationary.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which means areprovided for effecting continued rotation of said rollers at the end ofeach stroke, said means comprising a sprocket wheel mounted on the shaftof one of said rollers to engage said endless driven means, saidsprocket wheel incorporating a one-way gear whereby drive will beimparted to one of said rollers by movement of said driven meansrelative to said rollers.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidknitting machine is of the type which rotates the fabric as it isknitted in which said supporting table is rotated in synchronism withthe knitted fabric and said non-reversible drive means comprise astationary bevel gear in mesh with a second bevel gear arranged to movewith said rotary supporting table and to orbit said stationary bevelgear, said second bevel gear being mounted on, and causing rotation of,a lay shaft from which drive is imparted to said driven means. 9.Apparatus according to claim 8, in which said stationary bevel gear ismounted on the output shaft of a magnetic particle coupling under thecontrol of at least one potentiometer, whereby variable torque isapplied to govern the speed of traverse of said fabric layering rollers.10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which dropper arms are pivotallysupported to extend into said container at positions adjacent each endof the stroke of said fabric layering rollers to hold each fold of saidknitted fabric adjacent one wall of said container, cam means beingpositioned on said roller shafts to raise and lower said dropper arms atthe end of each stroke.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, in whichsaid guiding means comprise a pair of spaced fabric layering elementsand means mounting said fabric layering elements for horizontal movementand for directly receiving knitted fabric descending from said worktake-off means, and said means for imparting reciprocal motion to theknitted fabric comprise endless driven means to which opposite ends ofsaid layering elements are connected, and reversible drive means forimparting reciprocal motion to said driven means and thus also to saidfabric layering elements.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid container is open-sided and means are provided for raising saidfabric layering elements relative to said container during layering ofsaid knitted fabric.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which saidmeans for raising said fabric layering elements comprise ascrew-threaded upright post positioned adjacent each corner of saidcontainer, a co-acting bracket member mounted in screw-threadedrelationship with each of said screw-threaded posts on which bracketssaid endless driven means are mounted, and means for rotating all ofsaid screw-threaded posts simultaneously to cause axial movement of saidbracket members relative thereto.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13,in which said means for rotating said screw-threaded posts comprise asprocket wheel fixed to each of said posts, a continuous chaininterconnecting said sprocket wheels, a star wheel attached to at leastone of said posts, and means for turning said star wheel.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 14, whErein said means for turning said star wheelcomprise at least one cam which is movable into and out of an operativeposition, turning of said star wheel being effected by relative movementbetween said star wheel and said cam.
 16. Apparatus according to claim15, in which operation of said cam is effected by said knitting machinecontrol in synchronism with said knitted fabric output.
 17. Apparatusaccording to claim 15, in which operation of said cam is effected by asensing device which senses the level of said fabric in said container.18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which said sensing devicecomprises a light source attached to one of said brackets on one side ofsaid container and a photo-electric cell attached to the correspondingbracket on the opposite side of said container.
 19. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, in which said means for guiding said knitted fabric compriseat least one nozzle arranged on each of opposite sides of said containerthrough which compressed air is projected alternately.
 20. Apparatusaccording to claim 19, including means for varying the angular positionof said nozzle.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidknitting machine is of the type wherein issuing fabric is rotated,bearing means support said table for rotation, and means are connectedto said table for rotating said table in unison with issuing knittedfabric.
 22. A method of stacking knitted fabric in layers in a containerin continuation of the knitting thereof on a circular knitting machinewherein the knitted fabric is delivered downwardly from the knittingmachine, which method comprises continuing the downward feeding of saidknitted fabric from said knitting machine into said container which ispositioned within framework of said knitting machine while impartinggenerally horizontal reciprocal motion to said fabric to cause it to befolded in concertina fashion, and in a uniform manner between two wallsof said container, rotating the knitted fabric as it issues from theknitting machine, and rotating the container in unison with the issuingknitting fabric.